Remembering Special Agent William Ramsey

On May 3, 1938—75 years ago today—Special Agent William R. Ramsey, age 29, died from wounds he sustained while attempting to arrest suspects in a Lapel, Indiana bank burglary that had taken place the previous December. On May 2, during the course of the arrest operation, one of the suspects, Joe Earlywine, drew a gun and shot Agent Ramsey several times. The agent returned fire, and a bullet struck Earlywine in the forehead, killing him instantly. Special Agent Ramsey was mortally wounded by Earlywine’s bullets and was immediately taken to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries the following morning. For more information about Agent Ramsey and others who were killed in the line of duty, visit our Hall of Honor at http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/history/hallhonor